Castle of San Angelo and the bridge, Rome, Italy / Photo by admin

Sightseeing

There will never be a shortage of places to go or see when visiting the city. Rome is a living and breathing tourist attraction. An old fountain or historic church will always be there to welcome any first time visitor. Thousands of years of history have filled the city with some of the world’s most beautiful structures. A simple glimpse of these places is enough to transport anyone to another time in history. The Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Pantheon and Spanish Steps are just some of the must-see places to visit. Creating a travel plan with each of these places location in mind helps minimize travel time and lets you cover more places. Hiring a tourist guide for example helps you

Shopping

Italy is known for its designers, whether it’s the latest car design or the latest fashion trends from Milan, shoppers will find Rome to be a haven. Looking for a Bargain? Then visiting the Spanish steps or centro storico will give you a glimpse of some of the country’s biggest and upcoming names in fashion.

Weekday shopping hours are from 3:30 to 7:30 pm and 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM during weekends. Italians also take their coffee breaks seriously so be ready to wait for a few minutes in the afternoon. There are also avenues in the city lined with shops selling high-fashion brand names at discount prices. Talking to a local could help you get the best bargains and inside scoop for the city’s hidden treasures.

There are also a number of flea markets for buying souvenirs. Porta Portese in Trastevere is one of the most popular hunting grounds in the city. You could also give Testaccio’s food market or Campo de’ Fiori to get a better look into what the city has to offer.

Museums

The Vatican Museum is home to the world’s most beautiful art pieces. Located at the northwest corner of the city, it showcases works by some of the best Italian artists like Raphael, Caravaggio and Michelangelo. Other notable museums to visit include the Capitoline Museum, Musei Vaticani and Galleria Borghese. The Vatican requires a dress code for visitors entering the Sistine Chapel, Basilica di San Pietro and Musei Vaticani. Be ready to allocate some of your touring day’s for visiting these museums and arrange your travel plans accordingly.

St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican / Photo by admin

Entertainment

The city is not only home to art pieces from the past but also hosts some of the best performing artists in the world. Rome by day is a sight to behold and could only be rivaled by its nightlife. There is always something for everybody. Restaurants and cafes lining the city’s streets will be a perfect backdrop for a romantic getaway. Theatres are some of the best in Europe. The Auditorium-Parco della Musica is a large venue that regularly shows live performances. Trendy bars and night clubs give visitors some of Europe’s best nightlife scenes.

This is an article by Suzzane who works for Rome Apartments.

The post A Traveler’s Must Do Guide When Visiting Rome | Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Arian Zwegers

Santorini is probably the most well known island in Greece. With beautiful blue roofed cottages gracing the jagged cliffs that tower over the clear waters of the sea, Santorini is a delightfully beautiful holiday destination. The historic city of Thira is located on this beautiful island offering a peek into Greek history. A museum filled with well-preserved artifacts from this site is located here and is hosted by a very knowledgeable staff. There are also several tours of the island featuring the sampling of local Santorini wines – which are said to be very good!

Corfu offers a very different backdrop from Santorini. This small island in the Ionian sea is a great escape for nature lovers. The best thing to do on this island is to take a cycling tour. Tours can be guided or not guided and offer a multiday panoramic view of the entire island allowing the visitor to enjoy the silence of nature, the beauty of the sea, and the hidden treasures of this lovely gem of the Ionian sea.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Michael Gleave

Beach goers should find their holiday destination on the island of Mykonos. Known for its pristine beaches, excitement, and party type atmosphere, this holiday destination is guaranteed to please. Platys Gialos is the most popular beach on the island. Packed with beach resorts, restaurants, and many people, this beach is where the biggest and best parties are found. Slightly less crowded and a little quieter are the beaches of Kalo Livadi and Kakafatis. Still filled with fun, these two beaches are frequented by a more subdued crowd and tend to be more family friendly.

Travelers interested in the history of Greece and the Greek islands will enjoy the solitude and offerings of Delos, Patmos, and Rhodes. Delos was once a temple dedicated to Apollo and the entire island was dedicated to the worship of this god. Patmos finds its history in Christianity as well as in the Greek traditions. The monastery of St. John the Theologian is located here and John the Apostle spent time here as a prisoner of the Roman Empire. Rhodes is filled with Knights Templar history. Visit the remains of the walled city once ruled by the the Knights of St. John.

The Greek Islands have much to offer holiday travelers. Finding the perfect place for the perfect Greece holiday is easy and fun.

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